Oh. Leah you are a wonderful writer. I don’t have a single book in my library or memory that can offer a more exquisite view of London. And I’m a lifelong fan of poetic place. Bon courage. Keep walking and most of all, keep writing.
Recently spent a day in London on the way north. Stayed with friends and spent one day on buses, trains and underground going around multiple areas of London for fun...all with their unique (and same) bits, and all individual havens in which you could spend your life without leaving. It's an amazing place.
Holy nostalgia for London. When I lived there for 4 years, I sometimes had that overwhelming sense of feeling like I would never "know" it either which ended up making me lonely. At the same time I pine for it when I read something like this. Thank you xx
I know what you mean about barely leaving the house and seeing the same places. I worked from a coffee shop the other day and was reminded how nice it is to sit and work in a different space. I plan to find another one this week!
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Also, my house is like London right now. Halloween wreaths still on the door and Christmas planters on the floor. In between times lol
Very interesting piece, thank you so much, was it Doctor Johnson, who said when One is tired of London what is tired of life? Anyway look on the bright side, there are lots of lovely bits in London, my family lives there in various parts of the city and I work for my life there.I cycled every day there. For about 30 years. There’s lots to celebrate and also it’s good to get out of the town now and again. Keep safe keep writing. Keep finding nice things. Thank you and have a great week
Oh everyday cycling in London 1992 - 2016 as a commuter boy. Very liberating and confidence building man and bike as one being! From the rail station to the office in Soho! Anyway Leah - enjoy your London. Yes any city pisses one off and then in the next moment wraps its arms around you and gives you a hug and makes you smile!
I've only been to London once in my life (a 50th Birthday present from my then-wife), but you hit the nail on the head about what I loved about it, and why I hope someday I can afford to come back, and spend more time there.
Oh, how I loved reading this. As a Londoner that now lives in New York, soon to return for Christmas, it made me smile. Knowing that in a few short weeks I'll be back home, surrounded by the buzz of Christmas and the hustle and bustle of it all makes me smile. Thank you for writing!
I wanted to quote your delicious descriptions here in the comments but don’t know where to begin. I would end up cutting and pasting the entire essay. Stunning.
I am in the throes of planning my first visit to Jolly Olde, and will be spending most of my time in the West Country, but am planning to spend a day or two in London. Thankfully, I have a friend in a London cabbie, so that I know that I won't end up in the worse parts! Thanks for a very entertaining article.
I spent about 8 years living in London and this piece really rang true for me. It feels like a lifetime ago that I lived there. I knew some areas really well, and some bus routes are probably permanently etched into my memory. But like yourself I never got to know Dulwich...
Oh. Leah you are a wonderful writer. I don’t have a single book in my library or memory that can offer a more exquisite view of London. And I’m a lifelong fan of poetic place. Bon courage. Keep walking and most of all, keep writing.
Oh Marianne… thank you for your kind words!
I've always thought London was rather like Philadelphia.
Recently spent a day in London on the way north. Stayed with friends and spent one day on buses, trains and underground going around multiple areas of London for fun...all with their unique (and same) bits, and all individual havens in which you could spend your life without leaving. It's an amazing place.
Such a great thing to do
Holy nostalgia for London. When I lived there for 4 years, I sometimes had that overwhelming sense of feeling like I would never "know" it either which ended up making me lonely. At the same time I pine for it when I read something like this. Thank you xx
I pine for London too....and I live there.
The place has turned into crap.
I know what you mean about barely leaving the house and seeing the same places. I worked from a coffee shop the other day and was reminded how nice it is to sit and work in a different space. I plan to find another one this week!
-
Also, my house is like London right now. Halloween wreaths still on the door and Christmas planters on the floor. In between times lol
This is lovely....
Thanks Vian
Very interesting piece, thank you so much, was it Doctor Johnson, who said when One is tired of London what is tired of life? Anyway look on the bright side, there are lots of lovely bits in London, my family lives there in various parts of the city and I work for my life there.I cycled every day there. For about 30 years. There’s lots to celebrate and also it’s good to get out of the town now and again. Keep safe keep writing. Keep finding nice things. Thank you and have a great week
You cycled to London from where? Amazing!
Oh everyday cycling in London 1992 - 2016 as a commuter boy. Very liberating and confidence building man and bike as one being! From the rail station to the office in Soho! Anyway Leah - enjoy your London. Yes any city pisses one off and then in the next moment wraps its arms around you and gives you a hug and makes you smile!
Take care, keep writing and sharing!
I've only been to London once in my life (a 50th Birthday present from my then-wife), but you hit the nail on the head about what I loved about it, and why I hope someday I can afford to come back, and spend more time there.
please do
Oh, how I loved reading this. As a Londoner that now lives in New York, soon to return for Christmas, it made me smile. Knowing that in a few short weeks I'll be back home, surrounded by the buzz of Christmas and the hustle and bustle of it all makes me smile. Thank you for writing!
hope you’re home now enjoying the buzzy spangle
Days away now, cannot wait!
Very Nicely Expressed - Thank you!
Thank YOU
I ACTUALLY READ TO THE END! NOW I WANT TO MOVE THERE
Do it!
I wanted to quote your delicious descriptions here in the comments but don’t know where to begin. I would end up cutting and pasting the entire essay. Stunning.
Such a lovely compliment-- thank you!
I agree with Marianne so I won’t repeat it. You had me hooked.
I am in the throes of planning my first visit to Jolly Olde, and will be spending most of my time in the West Country, but am planning to spend a day or two in London. Thankfully, I have a friend in a London cabbie, so that I know that I won't end up in the worse parts! Thanks for a very entertaining article.
That’s a great friend to have!
This was a lovely read, thank you!
Yours,
An ex-Kensal Riser who was all too guilty of letting the routine swallow up those gaps he'd once set aside for getting lost in London.
haha I love this -- Kensal v twinkly now!
London is a boring corporate dystopia that has been completely taken over by foreigners.
This is all true — but we part ways on the “boring” part!
I'd love to hear why you feel this way.
Because it's just obvious and blatant, right in front of us.
I apologize, I'm not from the area, I've considered visiting and thought your input was interesting. Any more detail than that?
Well if you like you could read my one and only (so far) Substack piece.
I appreciate that, I'll give it a read.
I spent about 8 years living in London and this piece really rang true for me. It feels like a lifetime ago that I lived there. I knew some areas really well, and some bus routes are probably permanently etched into my memory. But like yourself I never got to know Dulwich...
-Tom
Cities like people contain multitudes